Why? Capable of turning mundane images into showstoppers, the flash may also be the most misunderstood, underutilized, and blood-pressure-raising piece of photography equipment. This workshop, led by the always-engaging Doug Johnson, can turn your flash from a torture device into an invaluable piece of your creative tool kit. During daylight and after-dark shoots that utilize a series of backdrops—a rustic Western homestead, urban scenes in downtown Missoula, and a variety of indoor locations—you learn to love and master your flash.

What? Applied to everything from landscape to wildlife to portraiture, artificial lighting can be a boon to amateur and pro shooters alike. From adding fill to a landscape foreground to adding dimension to a model on location, a solid understanding of flash technique can make you a better photographer. During this week, you learn how the flash and camera work together in Manual and TTL modes to achieve perfect exposure and effectively balance ambient and artificial light. You also learn how to shape, angle, and add color to light by using diffusors, reflectors, scrims, and gels. Then you take it to another level by learning to fire your flash off-camera with Pocket Wizards, as well as how to use multiple strobes together to create more dynamic photographs indoors and out. Regardless of the camera you use, this course will take the mystery out of flash photography.

Who? You should be comfortable with the manual exposure operation of your camera.

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Locations

Meeting Space

July 14-20, 2013

Directions

Directions to RMSP RMSP is located in downtown Missoula near the corner of Higgins Avenue and Main Street at 216 N. Higgins Avenue.

From Missoula International Airport: Turn right as you leave the airport, onto West Broadway Street toward Airway Boulevard. Turn left onto Airway Boulevard. Merge onto I-90 East. Take the Orange Street exit, Exit 104. Turn right onto Orange Street. At the second light, turn left onto W. Broadway. Proceed for three blocks and turn right onto Higgins Avenue. Our building is on the left side of the street.

From I-90 (From the East/West): Take the Orange Street exit, Exit 104. Head south onto North Orange Street. At the second light, turn left onto West Broadway. Proceed for three blocks and turn right onto North Higgins Avenue. Our building is on the left side of the street.

From US 93 (From South): Proceed straight as US-93 turns into Brooks Street in Missoula. Continue through Missoula until Brooks intersects with Higgins Avenue at Hellgate High School. Turn left and follow Higgins Avenue a little over half a mile over the Higgins Street Bridge. Our building is on the right side of the street.

Hotels

July 14-20, 2013

Meeting Space

This workshop begins Sunday, July 14 at 7 p.m. and ends Saturday, July 20 at noon. Your class will meet at the following location:

Hotel

Parking

Parking downtown is metered Monday-Friday. There is a convenient parking garage, Central Park, located less than one block west of the school at 128 West Main Street (www.ci.missoula.mt.us/parking). Parking downtown on Saturdays and Sundays is free.

Free parking is available at Holiday Inn Downtown at the Park for participants staying at the hotel.

Air Transportation

Travel During the Workshop

You are responsible for your own transportation during the workshop. For transportation to and from field shoots, we suggest that you carpool to get to know fellow students. Your final email will include a car share list of interested participants.

Car Rental

Major car rental companies are available in Missoula and at Missoula International Airport.

Fees

Any additional fees and/or supplies, including entrance to shooting locations, will be the responsibility of the participant.

Meals During the Workshop

You are responsible for your own meals during the workshop. Your instructor will allow plenty of breaks in the schedule. There are many convenient and affordable options for breakfast, lunch and dinner within walking distance of RMSP.

Resources

Doug Johnson is a Colorado native now living in Missoula, Montana. Before a life-changing pursuit of photographic art, he was an outdoor educator for more than 20 years, passionately teaching people backcountry skills in navigation, mountaineering, avalanche awareness and wilderness first aid. Since graduating from RMSP’s Summer Intensive program in 1996, Doug’s work has covered many diverse projects in the documentary, commercial, fine art and educational fields. Assignments have taken him from coyote shooting in Wyoming to the last stages of a woman’s life to the graffiti-covered alleys and abandoned buildings of Denver. He is currently involved in an ongoing project called Art Music, which fuses the art of photography with live musical performance. His educational philosophy is fun, intuitive and full of creative persistence. No matter where you are in your photographic journey, Doug’s balance of the aesthetic with the technical can help you further express your unique vision.

FAQ

What is the 2016 workshops schedule?

Which workshop is right for me?

Foundation Workshops require varying levels of previous photographic experience. Beginners should start with Basic Photography. Travel workshops require that you are familiar with the manual operation of your camera. If you are uncertain about where you should begin, please call and we will be happy to help you decide what class is right for you.

What is the cutoff date for registration?

We accept registrations on a first-come first-served basis until a workshop is full. Register early! If your favorite workshop is full ask to be put on a wait list.

How do I register?

Register online

Call the RMSP offices at (800) 394-7677

How many participants are in a workshop?

Depending on the workshop there can be a maximum of 14, 16 or 20 students. Generally we add an assistant when registration exceeds 8 students.

What is a "Friend of RMSP"?

Once you’ve taken an RMSP course you become a "Friend" and are able to deduct $50.00 off workshop tuition.

Explain Foundation and Travel workshops?

Foundation Workshops are designed with a stair-step approach that teaches you to think, see and create with your camera. Travel workshops take you to a beautiful location with an instructor who knows the area and the light and how to get you to the perfect shooting spot.

What is included in the tuition?

Most workshop tuitions include the instruction only. Hotel stays generally are not included. Selected hotels, most of which have special RMSP rates, are noted in the accommodations section of each workshop. Transportation is included on selected workshops. Additional charges such as entrance fees/admissions to national parks and select shooting venues are extra.

How do we pay for a workshop?

Most workshops require a $300.00 deposit and the balance paid 60 days prior to the start of the workshop. Payment options include personal checks, cash and Mastercard, Visa, and American Express.

What is RMSP’s cancellation policy?

Please read our cancellation policy. Note: Workshop content may change from that advertised based on weather, access to shooting locations, and other unforeseen situations. Whenever possible, registered students will be notified ahead of time of any changes. RMSP reserves the right to cancel any program that does not meet minimum participant requirements, in which case participants will be informed as soon as possible and all money will be refunded. RMSP is not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of a course cancellation. We encourage participants to purchase refundable
airline tickets and consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance.

Travel Insurance

RMSP recommends that you purchase travel insurance to protect yourself from circumstances that may prevent you from attending a workshop. Please check with your insurance agent about this low-cost service. RMSP is not responsible for cancellations due to medical emergencies or reimbursement of non-refundable airline tickets in the event of a workshop cancellation.

Other Logistics

Hotels

Blocks of rooms are reserved on most workshops. Unless otherwise specified workshop participants make their own reservations for accommodations.

Travel

On most workshops travel is the responsibility of the workshop participant. RMSP provides a car-share list as part of the workshop e-correspondence. Participants usually get together on the first day and make arrangements to share car rides for field shoots. We encourage carpooling for the sake of camaraderie and also to reduce the impact on our environment.

Meals

You will be given breaks during the workshop to purchase and enjoy meals, however in some locations meals take a second place to shooting at the right light. It’s always a good idea to include snacks for those moments when a regular meal is not available.

Free Time

RMSP wants to make sure you get what you want, need and expect from a workshop. Expect to be busy from morning until evening every day. If you’re coming to an outdoor workshop remember that sunrises and sunsets will be part of the shooting schedule!

Spouse / Partners

On most RMSP workshops non-photographing spouses/partners are welcome to come to shooting locations and some critiques. Lectures and any other learning sessions are not open to guests. Please call our office for the guidelines for your specific workshop.

Equipment

What should I bring?

Each workshop has a list of suggested equipment which will be sent in an email approximately 90 days before the workshop begins. If you have questions about a specific workshop please give our office a call.

Computers

All participants should bring a laptop computer for downloading, sorting, viewing and selecting images for daily critiques. Computer specifics are included in the equipment lists for each workshop. Digital lab workshops held in Missoula may have a limited number of desktop computers available for use. Please call our office if you need to reserve a computer.Please feel free to contact us either by phone or email with any further questions you may have. We look forward to welcoming you to an RMSP Workshop!

Cancellation Policy

Note: Workshop content may change from that advertised based on weather, access to shooting locations, and other unforeseen situations. Whenever possible, registered students will be notified ahead of time of any changes. RMSP reserves the right to cancel any program that does not meet minimum participant requirements, in which case participants will be informed as soon as possible and all money will be refunded. RMSP is not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of a course cancellation. We encourage participants to purchase refundable airline tickets and consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance.

Cancellation Policy for Workshops

For cancellations received at least 60 days prior to the workshop start date: RMSP refunds any tuition paid, less a $50 processing fee.

For cancellations received 30 to 60 days prior to the start of the workshop: RMSP refunds any tuition paid less the tuition deposit.

For cancellations received within 30 days prior to the start of the workshop: RMSP retains full tuition.

For cancellations after the workshop is in progress: RMSP retains full tuition.

For no-shows: RMSP retains full tuition.

Refunds will be processed within 30 days after our office receives notice of cancellation.